Energy absorbing bumper assembly

ABSTRACT

An energy absorbing bumper assembly which includes a bumper means and a pair of connecting links connected to the bumper means at the first ends thereof and converging toward one another in the direction of the second ends thereof. Various support means extend from the second ends of the connecting links and are connected or attached to the frame of a vehicle. Energy absorbing means are included to allow the second ends of the connecting links to move apart and together as the bumper means moves toward and away from the frame. In a number of embodiments, the connecting means are attached to the frame by first and second pairs of support links which are normally disposed in generally parallel relationship with one another. In these embodiments, the connecting links interconnect each pair of support links and the bumper means and move the support links toward and away from one another in response to movement of the bumper means. Various means are utilized in these embodiments for resisting relative movement between the support links to absorb energy as the bumper means moves rearwardly. In yet another embodiment, each pair of connecting links are attached to the vehicle frame by support links which are each pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and have arms extending from the pivotal connection with a connecting link connected to each arm. The energy absorbing means is disposed between one arm of each support link and the vehicle frame.

United States Patent [191 Weller [451 Nov. 27, 1973 ENERGY ABSORBINGBUMPER ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Peter A. Weller, Dover, NH.

[73] Assignee: McCord Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: July 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No; 158,814

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerRobert SaiferAttorney-Barnard, McGlynn & Reising [57] ABSTRACT An energy absorbingbumper assembly which includes tend from the second ends of theconnecting links and are connected or attached to the frame of avehicle.

Energy absorbing means are included to allow the second ends of theconnecting links to move apart and together as the bumper means movestoward and away from the frame. In a number of embodiments, the connecting means are attached to the frame by first and second pairs ofsupport links which are normally disposed in generally parallelrelationship with one another. In these embodiments, the connectinglinks interconnect each pair of support links and the bumper means andmove the support links toward and away from one another in response tomovement of the bumper means. Various means are utilized in theseembodiments for resisting relative movement between the support links toabsorb energy as the bumper means moves rearwardly. In yet anotherembodiment,

each pair of connecting links are attached to the vehicle frame bysupport links which are each pivotally connected to the vehicle frameand have arms extending from the pivotal connection with a connectinglink connected to each arm. The energy absorbing means is disposedbetween one arm of each support link and the vehicle frame.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDHMY 1975 SHEET 1 BF 3 I N VEN TOR.Ra 62" 14. Mel/el TTOR PMENTEU HUY 2 7 I973 I N VENTOR. ea er ZZ/d/er nu 7 ATTORIS ENERGY ABSORBING BUMPER ASSEMBLY This invention relates toan energy absorbing bumper assembly of the type which may be utilized inautomobiles for absorbing energy in the event the automobile is involvedin a crash and makes contact through the bumper. As the prior art showsthere have been many developments in energy absorbing bumper assembliesin an attempt to make automobiles safer. Examples of such assemblies areshown in the following US. Pats. Nos.: 1,435,100; 1,755,007; 1,777,342;1,792,157; 1,810,502; 1,812,417 and 3,311,397.

Generally speaking, the various prior art assemblies are; structured sothat they require specific energy absorbing means orrequire theeriergyabsorbing means to be placed in a particular position relative tothe other components. t

It is an object and feature of this invention to provide an improvedenergy absorbing bumper assembly including a generic structural featureof mechanism which allows various different energy absorbing conceptsand devices to be used therewith.

In correlation with the foregoing object and feature, it is anotherobjectand feature of this invention to provide an energy absorbingbumper assembly which includes a bumper means and a pair of connectinglinks connected to the bumper means at first ends thereof with each pairconverging toward one another in the direction of the second endsthereof with the support means extending from the second ends of theconnecting links and adapted to be attached to the frame of a vehicleand including energy absorbing means to allow the second ends of theconnecting links to move apart and together as bumper means move towardand away from the frame.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide an energyabsorbing bumper assembly which ineludes at least one pair of supportlinks adapted for attachment to the frame of a vehicle and normallydisposed in spaced generally parallel relationship and connected to abumper means through connecting means which will move the support linksrelative to one another upon movement of the bumper means and with whichvarious energy absorbing means may be employed. I I I Other objects andattendant advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodim'ent of FIG. 1 but showing thecomponents in a collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of yet another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of still another embodiment;

FIGS. 5a through 50 are fragmentary plan views showing variations of theembodiment of the energy absorbing bumper assembly shown in FIG. 5 andconstructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a further embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 but showing a slightmodification of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

All of the embodiments are adapted to be attached to the frame of avehicle, which frame includes the frame members 12. All of theembodiments also include a bumper means as generally indicated at 14.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5 all include first and second pairsof support'links adapted for attachment to the frame members 12 andnormally disposed in spaced generally parallel relationship to oneanother. The first pair of such support links are shown at 16 and 17 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the second pair are shown at 18 and19. Similar pairs of support links are utilized in the embodiment ofFIG. 3 except for the support link 16' which is modified and slightlydifferent from the support link 16 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,the reason for which will be more fully explained hereinafter. The firstpair of support links in the embodiment of FIG. 4 are shown at 26 and 27and the second pair are shown at 28 and 29. The first pair of supportlinks in the embodiment of FIG. 5 are shown at 36 and 37 and the secondpair are shown at 38 and 39. In the variations shown in FIGS. 5a through5c, only the first pair of support links are shown at 36 and 37.

The support links described above define support means for attaching theassembly to a frame and such support means in the embodiment of FIGS. 6and 7 include a pair of support links each of which is generallyindicated at 15. Each support link 15 is pivotally connected to theframe member 12 by a pivotal connection 21. Each support link 15includes first and second arms 23 and 25 which extend radially from thepivotal connection 21 and which are disposed at an angle relative to oneanother of less than 180.

The energy absorbing bumper assembly of the instant invention alsoincludes connecting means.

The connecting means of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5interconnect the support links and the bumper means 14 for moving thesupport links toward and away from one another in response to movementof the bumper means. The connecting means in the embodiments of FIGS. 1and 3 comprise the connecting links 20 and 22. The connecting means inthe embodiment of FIG. 4 comprises the connecting links 30 and 32. Theconnecting means in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and the variations of FIGS.5a through 50 comprises the connecting links 40 and 42,. Thus, asclearly shown in the drawings, a connecting link extends between eachsupport link and the bumper'means 14. Also, the connecting linksextending from each pair of support links diverge from one another asthey approach the bumper means.

The connecting means in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 comprise thefirst and second pairs of connecting links 40' and 42. The connectinglinks 40' and 42 are pivotally connected at the first ends thereof tothe bumper means 14, as indicated by the pins 43. A first connectinglink 40' of each pair of connecting links is connected by a pivot 45 tothe first arm 23 of the associated support link 15. The secondconnecting link 42' of each pair of connecting links is connected by asimilar pivot 45 to the second arm 25 of the associated support link 15.

As the specific description of each embodiment proceeds it willbe clearthat the invention includes various energy absorbing means for resistingrelative movement between the support links.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, the support links 16,16, 17, 18 and19 are adapted for pivotal connection, as indicated at 44 and 44', tothe frame members 12. The support links are pivotally connected atopposite ends thereof to the connecting links 20 and 22 as indicated bythe pivotal connections 46 and 48. The connecting links 20 and 22 arepivotally connected at the opposite ends thereof to the bumper means 14,as indicated at the pivotal connections 50. Also, the connecting links20 and 22 are disposed so that each diverging pair cross one another. Inother words, the connecting links 20 and 22 connected to the first pairof support links 16 and l7cross one another as do the connecting links20 and 22 connected to the second pair of support links 18 and 19.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2mainly by including a support link 16' which extends to a distal end 51disposed beyond the position of the link which is adapted at 44 forpivotal attachment to the frame 12 and by including a bar 52 pivotallyinterconnecting the distal end 51 of the link 16' and the pivotalconnection 48 between the oppositely disposed support link 19 of theother pair and its associated connecting link 20.

Both of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 include similar energyabsorbing means for resisting relative movement of the support links.

The energy absorbing means of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes afirst rod means, generally indicated at 54, interconnecting a first twosimilarly disposed support links 17 and 19 and a second rod means,generally indicated at 56, which interconnects the second two similarlydisposed support links 16 and 18 so that the similarly disposed supportlinks of the two respective pairs move in unison. The energy absorbingmeans also includes a shock absorber, dampener, or a like device,generally indicated at 58, for resisting movement of the first andsecond rod means 54 and 56. As illustrated, the shock absorber 58includes the shafts 60 extending into the ends thereof and attached tothe respective rod means 54 and 56 and which move into the shockabsorber 58 upon movement of the bumper means 14 toward the framemembers 12, as under impact conditions. The shock absorber 58 may be ahydraulic dampener including a cylinder and pistons or may containresilient material or may be an oleo-type strut, or various equivalentdevices.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a first rod means 54 interconnects thesimilarly disposed support links 17 and 19 as by being connected to thepivotal connections 48 and includes an upwardly projecting extension 62which attaches to a rod 64 extending into a shock absorber 58'. Disposeddirectly behind the first rod means 54 is a second rod means (not shown)from which projects the extension 66 to be connected to the other shaft64 of the shock absorber 58 and which second rod means interconnects thetwo similarly disposed support links 16' and 18 by being connected tothe pivotal connections 46 thereof to the connecting links 22. The shockabsorber 58' in the embodiment of FIG. 3 resists movement of the bumpermeans 14 toward the frame means in a similar manner as the shockabsorber 58 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The bar 52 in theembodiment of FIG. 3 restrains the linkage so that the bumper means 14moves in a parallel fashion rearwardly in the event a force is appliedonly to one side of the bumper means 14 or in the event a force isapplied at an angle to the bumper means 14, as being applied in asidewise fashion at one end of the bumper means.

Turning now to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the support links 26,27, 28 and 29 and the support links 36, 37, 38 and 39 are adapted andare shown rigidly attached to the frame members 12. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the support links 26, 27, 28 and 29 are rigidly attached to theframe members 12 by the bolts 70. The support links 36, 37, 38 and 39 inthe'embodiment of FIG. 5 are preferably welded or similarly rigidlyattached to the frame members 12.

Referring now specifically to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the supportlinks 26, 27, 28 and 29 are resilient and are rigidly attached to theconnecting links 30'and 32 as by being welded thereto or by forming anintegral part thereof. It will be noted that each pair of divergingconnecting links 30 and 32 cross one another adjacent each pair ofsupport links. The connecting links 30 and 32 are pivotally connected tothe bumper means 14 as by the pivot pins 72. A first rod means, asgenerally indicated at 74, interconnects a first two similarly disposedsupport links 27 and 29. Although in the embodiment of FIG. 4 only onesuch rod means 74 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that a secondrod means may be utilized to interconnect the second two similarlydisposed support links 26 and 28.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 also includes a first energy absorbing means 76connected to one (support link 27) of the first two similarly disposedsupport links 27 and 29 and is adapted and is attached at the other endto the frame 12 by the bolt 70. There is also included a second energyabsorbing means 78 connected to one (support link 28) of the second twosimilarly disposed support links 26 and 28 and adapted at the other endfor attachment to the frame member 12 by the bolt 70. The energyabsorbing means 76 and 78 may take many forms including hydraulicdampeners, oleo struts, etc.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the support links 26, 27, 28 and 29 arepreferaby resilient and flexible and- /or yieldable as by being made ofspring steel so as to act as shock absorbing or energy absorbingcomponents. Alternatively, or in addition, the energy absorbing devices76 and 78 may be utilized. The support links 26, 27, 28 and 29 may be ofheavy spring steel capable of fullenergy absorption with dampening beingprovided by energy absorbing devices 76 and 78. The support links 26through 29 may be also formed of a lamination of very light spring steeland a plastic such as urethane whereby absorption and dampening arecombined.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIG. 5 and the variations thereofdisclosed in FIGS. 5a through 50, various energy absorbing means aredisposed between the pairs of support links 36 and 37 and 38 and 39 forresisting movement of the support links of each pair toward one another.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the energy absorbing means includes a block ofresilient material which extends between and interconnects the supportlinks of each pair. The material 80 may be of various compositions butis preferably of a plastic material such as polyurethane.

In the variation shown in FIG. 5a, the energy absorbing means comprisesone or more collapsible columns, one of which is indicated at 82. Uponforces being applied through the connecting links 40 and 42, the supportlinks 36 and 37 move together but the movement toward one another isresisted by the collapsing column 82.

In the variation illustrated in FIG. 5b, an enclosed chamber 84 isdisposed between the support links 36 and 37 and the chamber includes ableed hole 86. A medium 88 is disposed in the chamber 84 and is forcedout through the bleed hole 86 upon movement of the support links 36 and37 toward one another. The material 88 in the chamber 84 may compriseair or a particulate material.

In the variation shown in FIG. 5c, the energy absorbing means includesresilient pads 90 secured to each support link 36 and 38 with the padssecured to each pair of support links being spaced from one another andextending toward one another so that the pads have to move a distancetoward one another before engaging one another to absorb the energytransferred to the support links through the connecting links 40 andTurning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, an

. energy absorbing means is defined by a yieldable block 90 of materialsuch as plastic, or the like. The block of yieldable or resilientmaterial 90 is disposed between the arm 23 of each support link and thevehicle frame member 12. Preferably, the blocks 90 are attached as by anadhesive or the like to the arm 23 of each support link 15. It will benoted that as the bumper means 14 moves rearwardly toward the framemembers 12, the support links 15 will pivot in opposite directions asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 6 to compress the blocks 90. In otherwords, the support links 15 are oppositely disposed for pivoting aboutthe respective pivotal connections 21 thereof in opposite directions.

FIG. 7 shows a slight variation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 by includingthe rod means 92 which is pivotally connected at 94 to the arm 25 of onesupport link and is pivotally connected at the other end at 94 to theconnecting link 42 of the opposite pair. The rod means 92 operativelyinterconnects one link, 42 of one pair of connecting links and theassociated support link 15, to one link (the support link 15) of theother pair of connecting links and the associated support link formoving the connecting links of each pair in unison. In other words, therod means 92 may interconnect the two sets of links in variouscombinations to assure that the two sets of links move in unison as thebumper means 14 moves rearwardly toward the vehicle frame 12.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionarepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An energy absorbing bumper assembly comprising: bumper means; supportmeans including first and second arms forming a crank and being adaptedto be pivotally connected to the frame of an automobile; a pair ofconnecting links connected to said bumper means at first ends thereofand converging toward one another in the direction of second! endsthereof, one of said connecting links being pivotally connected at thesecond end thereof to one of said first and second arms of said crankand the other link being pivotally connected at the second end thereofto the other of said first and second arms such that upon impact of saidbumper means, force is transmitted through said connecting links to saidarms, thus causing said crank to pivot; and energy absorbing meansdisposed between one of said arms of said support means and said framesuch that when said support means pivots upon impact, the energy of saidimpact is absorbed.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, including a second support meanswith first and second arms and a pair of connecting links connected tosaid arms.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, including rod means operativelyinterconnecting at least one link of one pair of connecting links to atleast one link of the other pair of connecting links for moving saidconnecting links in unison.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing meansincludes yieldable means for disposition between an arm of each supportlink and the vehicle frame.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing meanscomprises blocks of resilient energy absorbing material which is adaptedto be compressed between said support links and said frame.

1. An energy absorbing bumper assembly comprising: bumper means; supportmeans including first and second arms forming a crank and being adaptedto be pivotally connected to the frame of an automobile; a pair ofconnecting links connected to said bumper means at first ends thereofand converging toward one another in the direction of second endsthereof, one of said connecting links being pivotally connected at thesecond end thereof to one of said first and second arms of said crankand the other link being pivotally connected at the second end thereofto the other of said first and second arms such that upon impact of saidbumper means, force is transmitted through said connecting links to saidarms, thus causing said crank to pivot; and energy absorbing meansdisposed between one of said arms of said support means and said framesuch that when said support means pivots upon impact, the energy of saidimpact is absorbed.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, including asecond support means with first and second arms and a pair of connectinglinks connected to said arms.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2,including rod means operatively interconnecting at least one link of onepair of connecting links to at least one link of the other pair ofcoNnecting links for moving said connecting links in unison.
 4. Anassembly according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing meansincludes yieldable means for disposition between an arm of each supportlink and the vehicle frame.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4, whereinsaid energy absorbing means comprises blocks of resilient energyabsorbing material which is adapted to be compressed between saidsupport links and said frame.